This zoning ordinance may be amended to change zones, to alter the boundaries of districts, to impose regulations not heretofore imposed, and to remove or modify any regulation heretofore imposed, pursuant to title 7 of the Government Code (Planning and Land Use).

(Ord. No. 2008-04 § 1.)

Changes of zone and other amendments may be initiated by the city council or the planning commission.

(Ord. No. 2008-04 § 1.)

Any person may file a petition for a change of zone with the planning director, upon payment of a filing fee as required in section 27.243 (Filing fees and other fees) of this zoning ordinance, except that a person may not file, and the planning director shall not accept, a petition which is the same as, or substantially the same as, a petition upon which final action has been taken either by the planning commission or city council within six months prior to the date of said petition.

(Ord. No. 2008-04 § 1.)

A petition for a change of zone shall contain all information as is requested by the planning director. The accuracy of all information, maps and lists submitted shall be the responsibility of the applicant.

(Ord. No. 2008-04 § 1.)

Upon receiving a completed petition for a change of zone, and after the applicant has paid the appropriate filing fee, the planning director shall request the city clerk to set a public hearing date to consider the application as described in section 27.241 (Notice of public hearing). The planning commission shall thereafter recommend to the city council whether the zone change should be approved, conditionally approved, or disapproved.

(Ord. No. 2008-04 § 1.)

Prior to taking any action on a zone change application, the planning commission shall first review the initial study and environmental assessment prepared by planning staff. The planning commission shall recommend to the city council whether an environmental impact report should be prepared, or whether a negative declaration of no significant environmental impact is appropriate. If a negative declaration is recommended, the planning commission shall also recommend appropriate mitigation measures, if applicable to the zone change application involved.

(Ord. No. 2008-04 § 1.)

A change of zone in conformance with the general plan land use element is conditioned upon owner mitigation of school impacts in accordance with the Brawley general plan. Such mitigation, while required as a consequence of a zone change, is deferred until such time as development of the property occurs.

(Ord. No. 2008-04 § 1.)